I’m excited to announce that our website is live and we are now taking registrations for yet another volunteer run free basketball camp here in Columbus.

If you know any parents with little hoopsters entering grades 5 thru 8 in Central Ohio let them know and they can sign up at NovaVillageBasketball.com today! Space is limited and we have less than 100 slots left!

Why are we doing this?

Honestly basketball camps in the summer are a plenty in Central Ohio. But our camp aims to take a different perspective when looking at its goals and hopes for what the kids will get out of it. I had helped curate the 97.1 The Fan Basketball Camp with the goal of giving kids a free camp, open on a first come first serve basis to any kid regardless of income level or school district, and had the goal of these kids receiving a day they’ll never forget. We wanted to make it a top flight camp that most parents would be willing to pay for their kids to attend but the cost was actually 100% free.

After two years of success and a completely volunteer run, free, sold out camp I have teamed up with fellow area coaches and basketball junkies Andreas James and James Tanks III of Nova Village Basketball and former Buckeye standout Matt Sylvester to recreate the REFUND Skills Camp with the same reputation of the last two years the 97.1 The Fan Camp had and the REFUND Skills Camp has had in the past.

REFUND was started by Tanks and former local standout and Nittany Lion Calvin Booth in the mid 2000’s.

REFUND stands for Respect/Education/Fun/Use Your Resources/Network With Others/ and of course...Dream.

The camp will be held Friday August 5th at Vineyard Community Center in Westerville from 8am to 330pm and will be presented by Giant Eagle.Andreas James said “We wanted to recreate the REFUND Skills name and reputation and hold ourselves to that high degree of integrity while delivering something to kids in Central Ohio that doesn’t exist. A top flight camp that is absolutely free. And a day that will forever be etched into each attendee’s memory, and hopefully as well those willing to volunteer their time at it.”

Expertise. Area AAU, high school, and college coaches and former players will be leading the instruction and skill stations for the kids.

Leadership. My friend and local professional public speaker Tracy Austin will offer the kids during lunch a motivational and inspirational talk about his experience in coaching basketball in the Special Olympics.

Competition. The afternoon will feature tournament games and skills competitions that will allow area kids to put their basketball hustle to the test.

Community. We want to create something special within the community that can bring us all together for at least one day a year. Then take what was learned that day and use it in the community the other 364 days of the year. Strong community is vital in my eyes for us to grow as a human race.

With it being a 100% volunteer run and grassroots supported camp, Andreas, James, Matt, and I ask for your support to help promote the camp out to the parents of the kids that are eligible to attend. Those entering grades 5 thru 8 are eligible as we want to ensure the camp reaches the full capacity and every child possible gets the chance to attend.

“We want to do something different when it comes to basketball camps. I’ve helped run and participated at many over the years. This one sets out to provide that expertise in basketball on the court but also growth off the court.” James Tanks III

To sign up your child for the camp visit NovaVillageBasketball.comTo help volunteer or for press interest email me at mike@MarketingFunWithMike.com